Mzuzu Agriculture Development Division (Mzadd) has embarked on a rabies vaccination campaign targeting 9 000 pets in Mzuzu City.
Mzadd chief animal health and livestock development officer Michael Luwe said in an interview on Friday that the campaign, which started on October 6 2025, will run up to October 13 2025 with a possible extension to October 31 2025.
“During the extension period, pets’ owners will be required to bring their pets to our offices for rabies vaccination,” he said.
Luwe advised pets’ owners to take them to other designated vaccination sites to ensure that they have updated vaccination status.
“We also urge them to report any stray dogs displaying unusual behaviour and to avoid contact with animals which they suspect might be infected with rabies,” he said.
Luwe said the initiative does not only protect the animals from the disease but also people who might be bitten by the pets.
Mzuzu resident Golden Munthali welcomed the
campaign, describing it as an important exercise worth participating in.
“Chances of a vaccinated dog infecting any one with rabies through a dog bite are low and, in most cases, they don’t transmit the disease,” he said.
Munthali urged all pets’ owners to take advantage of this campaign.
Another pet owner Joseph Mtambo said he will take his animals for vaccination to protect them from the disease.
Among other signs, rabid dogs show abnormal behaviour, including aggressiveness, excessive drooling, over reaction to touch, lack of appetite, barking differently and as the situation deteriorates, they show signs of complete paralysis and eventually die.
Rabies, a deadly yet preventable disease, is endemic to Malawi; hence, the risk of rabies infection remains high.
The campaign rolled out with support from Community Health Coalition (USA) through Africa Vaccine Initiative
